LibGuides: Statistics: Politics

Statistical Sources

American National Election Studies
With data from 1948-present, the ANES is widely considered the leading source for election-related data, conducted before and after every presidential election.
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Lots of data on crime, victims, offenders, law enforcement, and topics such as drugs and crime. Includes the Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics Online.
Bureau of the Census
The U. S. Census is a major source of data, including data used for mapping with GIS.
Comparative Agendas: Comparing Policies Worldwide
Collects and analyzes data to track policy outcomes in the US and other countries from World War II to the present. Includes downloadable datasets.
FiveThirtyEight Data Files
Via GitHub - a selection of the data and the data-processing scripts behind the articles, graphics and interactives at FiveThirtyEight.
Google Public Data Explorer
Contains data sets and metrics from a wide variety of publicly available data sources.
Guide to Statistics
The Gustavus Library's guide to statistics has many suggested resources for finding stats.
Legislative Explorer
Data and tools for visualizing legislative patterns.
National Center for Education Statistics
A vast collection of data on schools, teachers, educational attainment, and more. From the U.S. Department of Education.
National Center for Health Statistics
A wealth of data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control. Click on FastStats for health statistics by topic.
Statistical Abstract of the United States - Ready Reference HA 202 .P76
This is perhaps the single most useful small package of statistical information available. It includes hundreds of tables of figures on population, economics, social factors, etc., with references to the original sources.
Statistical Sites on the World Wide Web
A cleanly-organized and helpful guide to US and world statistical sources. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Offers statistics on consumer price, employment, wages, inflation, productivity, the U.S. economy, etc. This is a gold mine of current statistical data and reports covering consumer spending, employment, wages, productivity, occupations, international trade, and industries. Also shows "The U.S. Economy at a Glance."

Disappearing Government Data

We are monitoring the disappearance of government data and websites; the removal began on 2/1/25. Many individuals and organizations have been collecting and compiling removed data. You can find links to many of those here. If you come across links that are not here, please email us to have it included.

Guides from Other Libraries: We are indebted to the work being done by libraries and other organizations to document and preserve removed data. We will link to guides and resources as we become aware of them.

Finding Government Information during the 2025 Administration Transition - from the University of Minnesota libraries: "This guide will point to resources that identify and track steps taken by the Trump administration and Congress to scale back or eliminate access to federal government information. It also provides links to groups performing data and website rescue."
Disappearing Federal Data - from Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound

General/Overall:

End of Term Web Archive
GovWayback - access government documents via the Wayback Machine from prior to January 20, 2025 using the directions provided

Environmental Data & Information:

Public Environmental Data Project - read about the project here
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data - from the Urban Ocean Lab

Heath Data & Information:

Restored CDC - RestoredCDC.org is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or any government entity. Read more about the project.
CDC Guidelines - from Jessica Valenti, includes information about contraception, sexual health, youth, LGBTQIA, sexual & intimate partner violence
CDC Datasets

Bluesky users are encouraged to follow the Data Rescue Project (@datarescueproject.org) for updates on efforts and groups who are working to preserve data. The account also provides a "starter pack" of similar accounts to follow. You can also visit their website.

Interested in contributing to data rescue? Read "Curating for Data Rescue" by the Data Curation Network. You can also consult the checklist for USA federal data backups from MIT libraries.

Sources for Opinion Polls

This list is fairly US-centered; for public opinion data from other regions of the world, visit the Researching Countries tab and consult the Statistics and Data - Worldwide and Statistics and Data - Regional boxes.

American Religion Data Archive
Mostly using public opinion polls, this site provides demographic and attitudinal information about American's religious beliefs.
Associated Press/IPSOS Poll
Annotated list of polls with a focus on the economy and politics; includes US, Canada, and international polls.
FiveThirtyEight Politics
A site that analyzes poll and other data for politics, sports, economics, science, and culture. The underlying data is also made available in many cases.
Gallup Poll - Ref HN 90 .P8 G35
An annual compilation of opinion poll statistics gathered by the Gallup Organization, covering from 1935 to the present. Indexes make it easy to find figures from different years. This organization also maintains a website which contains selected data at Gallup.com.
General Social Survey
The GSS contains a standard 'core' of demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal questions, plus topics of special interest. Many of the core questions have remained unchanged since 1972 to facilitate time-trend studies as well as replication of earlier findings.
LAPOP-Latin American Public Opinion Project
Results from most Latin American countries as well as Madagascar, Israel, and Albania.
Marist Poll
Based at a college, this survey research center conducts polls on politics and a variety of cultural and social issues.
Monmouth University Poll Reports
A university-based public opinion survey research institute.
New York Times Poll Watch
An excellent, reliable source for polls and public opinion data.
Pew Research Center
A non-partisan site that researches politics, media, social trends, religion, science and technology, Hispanic Americans, and global opinion.
Polling Report
An independent, nonpartisan resource on trends in American public opinion.
Quinnipiac University Poll
Based at a college, this organization conducts phone interviews on politics and policy.
Real Clear Politics
Curates opinion poll data on a variety of issues.
Survey Research Center
From the University of Michigan.
Washington Post Polls
Results of surveys conducted by the Washington Post as well as links to other polls.
World Public Opinion
Results of studies from polls conducted around the world.
World Values Survey
Tables and graphs from World Values Survey conducted 1981-2004.

Statistics: Politics

Finding Political Statistics

Statistical Sources

Disappearing Government Data

Sources for Opinion Polls